Structural unit



April 3, 1962 H. s. DUNN 3,027,984

STRUCTURAL UNIT Filed April 3, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ang.

JNVENTOR. HAROLD 5. DUNN BY H. S. DUNN STRUCTURAL UNIT April 3, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 3, 1959 Y R mN m K m m D United States Patent Cfifice 3,027,984 Patented Apr. 3, 1962 3,027,984 STRUCTURAL UNIT Harold S. Dunn, 163 Fiesta Way, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Filed Apr. 3, 1959, Ser. No. 803,864 2 Claims. (Cl. 189-37) This invention relates to a structural metallic beam employed to form a supporting medium for roof panels, screen sheeting or the like normally constituting the roof enclosure for outdoor areas, such as patios and swimming pools.

The invention contemplates a beam that is extruded from aluminum and embodying a composite shape that functions as both a channel and an I-beam.

The invention contemplates the means for spanning the area of the enclosure as a supporting medium for either a screen wire cover or any suitable closure panels and the device readily adapts itself to the forming of a truss where the span is relatively wide.

The invention further contemplates the use of conventional screen frames that receive the marginal edges of a covering screen and with the screen frames having a splined groove for their full length whereby to receive the marginal edges of the screen and with the screen frames being proportioned to snugly engage within the opposite channels formed by the I-beam section of the device, to be fixed against movement.

Novel features of construction and operation of the device will be more clearly apparent during the course of the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein has been illustrated a preferred form of the device and wherein like characters of reference are employed to denote like parts throughout the several figures.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a beam constructed in accordance with the invention,

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the beam having the screen connecting elements seated upon the opposite sides of the device,

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of a truss construction embodying the beam of this invention,

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view on an enlarged scale illustrating the truss shown in FIGURE 3 and,

FIGURE 5 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 55 of FIGURE 3.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates the beam as a whole embodying an integrally formed channel member 6 and an I-beam 7. The beam is preferably extruded from aluminum or other light weight material and of a thickness calculated to support a predetermined load thereon. The channel 6 embodies a bottom wall 8 and parallel side walls or flanges 9. The I-beam 7 embodies a vertical web portion that extends from the bottom wall 8 of the channel intermediate its width. The web 10 carries horizontal flanges 11 and with the flanges of the I-beam being co-extensive in width to the channel 6.

The channel member 5 is formed in varying lengths in accordance with a particular area to be spanned. Should the area be sufficiently small, the beam will be adequate in strength to support a dead weight caused by either roof paneling of various forms or screen panels, such being customary in a relatively large percentage of outdoor areas to be enclosed and where the outdoor area is a screened area embodying screened walls and a screened roof. The beams are supported at their opposite ends upon suitable sills constituting a part of the Wall structures. Where panels are to be employed, such as sheets of fiberglass, Masonite or the like, the panels are supported upon supplemental arcuate channel members (not shown), that are connected to overlie the channel 6 and that are co-extensive with the channels 6 and whereby to provide a supporting surface for the panels that is rounded or inclined for water drainage. Where screen panels are to be employed for a full opening of the roof, conventional screen molding 12 is engaged into the opposite channels formed by the I-bqam 7. The molding strips 12 are also extruded or rolled from aluminum in a preferably rectangular form and proportioned to snugly engage within the channels of the I-beam, clearly shown in FIGURE 2. The screen moulding 12 along one corner is channeled at 13, to receive the marginal edges of the screen and, with the marginal edges being held in locked relation within the channel 13 by vinyl beading 14. The moulding 12 upon each side of the I-beam is fixedly held with respect to the beam by bolts 15, that pass through preformed openings formed in the molding strips and the web portion of the I-beam.

In the use of the invention so far described, the beams 5 are engaged at their opposite ends with the sill members of the wall sections and the connections for the opposite ends of the beam may be made in any conventional manner in accordance with the particular structure being built. The-beams are placed in spanning parallel and equidistantly spaced relation over the entire upper area of the structure. The screen moulding is then cut to the required length for a particular length of beam and then the operator inserts the moulding upon each side of each beam after which, an aperture is drilled entirely through the moulding strips and the web 10 at spaced apart intervals and bolts 15 inserted therethrough to rigidly connect the moulding strips in their seated relation with respect to the I-beam. Suitable screening is then engaged within the grooves 13 and locked in position by the vinyl cords 14. The entire area is formed in a similar manner, completely covering the exposed upper area to be enclosed.

For relatively wide areas, it becomes necessary to form a supporting truss to prevent downward flexing and to securely anchor either the panels or the screening against movement under severe wind conditions. The truss, illustrated in FIGURES 3 to 5, embodies the beam 5 and an arcuate channel 16. The channel 16 at its opposite ends is beveled to overlie the upper marginal edges of the side walls 9 of the channel 6, such being illustrated in FIG- URE 4. The channel 16 is coextensive in width to the channel 6. The ends of the channel 16 in their overlying relation to the channel 6, may be welded and gusset plates 17 are preferably installed in overlapping relation between the side flanges 16' of the channel 16 and the side walls of the channel 6. The gusset 17 may be welded in position or suitable bolts extended therethrough and through the walls of the channel '6 to rigidly connect the channel 16. Diagonal spokes or brace arm-s18 are disposed between the channel 16 and the channel 6 in any conventional manner, generally recognized in truss constructions. The braces 18 are preferably formed of square tubular aluminum sections and their opposite ends may be either welded into the channels of the beam 5 and the channel 16 or the braces may be bolted through the beam and the channel 16 if found desirable. The braces 18 are coextensive in width to the inner dimensions of the channel 6 and the channel 16. The channel 16 and the brace member 8 are likewise preferably extruded from aluminum thus, forming a very light weight truss construction that is capable of supporting relatively heavy loads and that will resist any movement of the supported screen panels or other panels against either downward or upward movement under the influence of excessively strong wind.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a very novel form of beam has been provided. The beam forms a combination of a channel and an I-beam and combines the strength of both such beams. The beam is flexible in that it adapts itself as a supporting medium for the screen moulding and also readily adapts itself as a truss forming member., The device is strong, cheap to manufacture and most effective as a supporting medium that constitutes the rafters for the support of a roof covering of the type hereinbefore noted. The forming of the beam and the truss members of aluminum is most desirable in that they are not subject to rusting or corrosion.

It is to be understood that the inveption is not limited to the precise construction shown, but that changes are contemplated as readily fall within the spirit of the invention as shall be determined by the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A building structure comprising, an I-beam provided with a top flange having integrally formed upstanding walls arising from its side edges and forming a channel between them, the I-beam also including a bottom flange, the upper and bottom flanges being connected by a vertical web, the upper and lower flanges forming longitudinal grooves between them, the grooves opening outwardly in a lateral direction from opposite sides of the beam, a screen moulding fitted into each of said grooves, and fastening elements extending through the screen mouldings and through the vertical web to maintain the screen mouldings in place, the screen mouldings having screenanchoring grooves disposed beyond the limits of the upper and lower flanges, thereby rendering such grooves accessible for screen-insertion therein, and inserts in said screen-anchoring grooves to retain the screening in place.

2. A building structure comprising, a beam formed with upper and lower flanges connected by a vertical web, the opposite outer edges of the upper flange being provided with integral, upturned walls forming a channel between them, an arcuate channel member disposed over the beam, said channel member having side flanges provided with ends resting on the top edges of the walls which form the channel in the beam, gusset plates disposed within said channel and overlying and secured against the inner faces of the walls of the beam and the side flanges of the channel member, angular brace members square in crosssectional shape and each thaving one end fitted between the walls of the beam and having an opposite end fitted between the side flanges of the channel member, and fastening elements for securing said brace members to the beam and to the channel member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,586,053 Snyder May 25, 1926 2,308,080 Herr Ian. 12, 1943 2,837,153 Brown et a1 June 3, 1958 2,888,113 Schwartz et al May 26, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 814,534 France Mar. 22, 1937 869,640 France Nov. 17, 1941 210,191 Australia Feb. 9, 1956 

